I just put in a new transmission in my '95 Talon and when I tried to start it... the starter turns but the engine doesnt turn over. I took the starter off and made sure it was hooked up right but still nothing. It tries to turn over a little bit but wont start. Does anyone have any ideas on what could be wrong? I checked all of the wiring.

Does the starter engage the flywheel(MT)/flex plate(auto)? In other words - When you turn the starter on, does the engine spin? If it's not spinning then the problem could be that the starter gear isnn't throwing out. The Chiltons manual has a few tests for the magnetic switch that the starter uses to move the gear. You may also have a gap in the flywheel or flex plate teeth. You should be able to see that by looking in the hole with the starter removed.


ride__________95 Eclipse RS : 5 speed
power________Gude cams : Jeep TB : AFX UDP : ram air : test pipe : GST catback
suspention___Hurricane F/R lower strut ties : BOMZ F/R upper strut bars : ES inserts
sound________Kenwood KDC 5000 : Audiovox 8" sub toob - no sub amp(damnit!)
shizzle_______AutoCommand remote start : dual air horns : Caspers o2 simulator(rear)
incomming___Field SFC Hyper-R : Bosal header
Jeep TB writeup - http://www.dimensia.com:81/jimbo/JeepTBfor2gnt.html

did you take any sensors out or unplug them when you installed the new tranny? even if you think you didn't you should double check. Is the ecu plugged in?

yeah, it turn over one time when i first try to start it. I'm guessing its not catching the flywheel very good... I'd say the starter gear wasnt throwing out as far as it should be as you suggested. It worked just fine before I replaced the transmission though. I can hear it spinning inside the transaxle. Dont have a chiltons manual though. I found a .pdf file on the net for info on my trans swap. Would it be okay to pull the starter out and then have someone start it to see if it throws out? Or is there an easier way to test it. Maybe it just locked in since it was laying on my garage floor for a couple weeks.

Take the starter out and look to see if there are teeth missing on the flywheel. Also, are there any teeth missing on the starter?

I suppose you could test it hooked up and out of the socket, you just have to make sure that the it is grounded well. There is no "ground wire" going to the starter, it grounds on the transmission housing, so use a jumper cable to give it a good ground.


ride__________95 Eclipse RS : 5 speed
power________Gude cams : Jeep TB : AFX UDP : ram air : test pipe : GST catback
suspention___Hurricane F/R lower strut ties : BOMZ F/R upper strut bars : ES inserts
sound________Kenwood KDC 5000 : Audiovox 8" sub toob - no sub amp(damnit!)
shizzle_______AutoCommand remote start : dual air horns : Caspers o2 simulator(rear)
incomming___Field SFC Hyper-R : Bosal header
Jeep TB writeup - http://www.dimensia.com:81/jimbo/JeepTBfor2gnt.html

Try and jump start it. Your battery could simply be a little low since the motor has not been running for a bit, left a door open, ect... There just may not be enough juice to crank her over real good and engage the starter fully.